Karmapa issue has become major political problem: KSSK

Rajesh Lama, General Secretary of the 17th Karmapa Sewa Samiti
Kathmandu at a press conference in Gangtok on Monday

DICHEN ONGMU, EOI, GANGTOK, 28 Jul 2014: Karmapa issue has become a major political problem in international, national and the state level according to Rajesh Lama, General secretary of 17TH Karmapa Sewa Samiti Kathmandu.

For the very first time someone from outside the state was seen claiming Dawa Sangpo as the 17TH Gyalwa Karmapa.

Lama on behalf of his Samiti held a press conference in Gangtok today and claimed Dawa Sangpo as the 17th Karmapa. He also reiterated the demand of holding a test between all the three 17th Karmapa claimants- Ugen Thinley Dorjee, Dawa Sangpo and Thai Karmapa, through which the real Karmapa can be traced and brought to Rumtek Monastery.

“We will consider the one who passes the test as the 17th Karmapa and we will follow him without any controversies,” he added.

“We all know that Ugen Thinley Dorjee is acknowledged as the 17TH Karmapa both by the ruling and opposition party of the State but we feel they are taking the stand as a political compulsion as the majority portion of the population in Sikkim supports him. If the government does not support the majority then the issue will affect its governance and political stand,” observed Lama.

“If the Central and the State Government declares Ugen Thinley Dorjee as the real 17th Gyalwa Karmapa in the near future without any tests or proof, then who will be held responsible for the bad impact in the State which will occur after their false declaration?” he questioned.

Stating the western countries and the central government would be ineffective in resolving the issue, Lama urged the state government to take the initiative and bring the rightful heir to the Rumtek throne.